Head of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana Dr Bossman Asare says the recent attacks by the president, John Mahama, targeted at the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a clear sign of desperation on the part of the President and the NDC to retain power.

President Mahama’s campaign in the Northern Region has drawn attention particularly for his consistent criticism of the leadership style of the NPP’s flagbearer, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, describing the three-time presidential candidate as a dictator and a divisive leader.

In an interview on 3FM’s News Hour on Wednesday, August 24, Dr. Bossman Asare said sitting presidents normally tell electorates more about their achievements rather than attacking opponents.

“To be frank with you, I think the President is trying to send a clear signal that he is very desperate because you can see right from the word go that he is trying to paint a certain picture of Mr. Akufo-Addo and once he can succeed in that he is very sure that he is going to win the election.” He added that it is only when a sitting president has a slim chance of winning that he resorts to constant attacks on his opponent.

According to Dr. Bossman, even though most Ghanaians have a political party they naturally vote for, a few percentage of voters will, however, consider the relevant messages of the parties before voting.

“I believe the NDC as a party through their homework have realised things are not pointing to a victory for them in the build-up to the elections and have therefore resorted to being on the offensive and painting a particular picture about the opposition leader to become unattractive to the electorates”.